Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

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Ardea herodias

Family:

Ardeidae (herons) in the order Ciconiiformes

Description:

Great blue herons have a very large, slate-blue body, long legs, long, pointy bill and a slender, long neck. The head is white with a black, plumed eye line. The thighs are reddish or rusty and the lower legs dark. The bill is yellowish, and the pale breast feathers are long and plumelike. The voice is a low, harsh “gwock,” often heard in flight.

Size:

Length: 46 inches (tip of bill to tip of tail).

Habitat and conservation:

Great blue herons are found in aquatic environments where they can wade and forage for prey. Water-quality issues affect them, as they are an important part of wetlands and open-water ecosystems.

Foods:

Herons forage in shallow pools, edges of lakes and similar areas for aquatic prey including frogs, small fish and many other animals that can be swallowed.

Distribution in Missouri:

Statewide, near bodies of water.

Status:

Uncommon summer resident in nesting colonies statewide; common during migration and when young individuals are dispersing from breeding colonies. Uncommon winter resident where water is unfrozen.

Life cycle:

Herons gather in large nesting colonies near water and food. A colony can contain hundreds of bulky stick nests. Each pair of great blue herons typically lays 3–6 eggs, which are incubated for nearly a month. The chicks hatch one at a time, with the first to hatch growing more quickly than the others. It is important to stay far back from breeding colonies, since the birds and their chicks can suffer fatal accidents in their haste to escape.

Human connections:

These magnificent wading birds are enjoyed by bird watchers and others who witness their careful foraging and broad wing strokes as they take flight near water.

Ecosystem connections:

As top predators, great blue herons check populations of many aquatic and animals. Their eggs and chicks are frequently preyed upon by other predators, though not many animals hunt the adults.

Regs and Areas

Food Maneuver

The great blue heron flips its catch to make it go down headfirst so it doesn’t get caught in its throat.

Shortened URL

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